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Post by Tony Stark on Apr 6, 2011 18:38:52 GMT
The General was tall, much taller than Zhao Fai could ever hope to be. As he sat and began to sharpen his blade, he asked Fai about his life's ambition; he was probably just curious about this Major that he knew nothing about.
"I shall speak frankly, sir; I was originally a Captain in the Jian Xia militia, but because of personal conflicts I left the city. The Heavens led me here after many years, and by a stroke of luck the Heavens have granted me the ability to serve in your military. Sir, it is my current ambition in find something to believe in, and something to live for. I believe I have found that in the city of Jian An; it is my goal to serve the people of Wu as best I can through serving as an Officer in your fine military, and there is no greater ambition than that."
Zhao Fai hoped his answer was sufficient for the General's taste. Fai secretly hoped his ideology hadn't embarrassed him. It was not Zhao Fai's position to ask questions in this situation, so he would sit and answer anything Huang Gai asked him; Gai was, after all, Fai's superior.
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Post by Li Wang on Apr 6, 2011 19:22:50 GMT
Li had left with a bow when the Prefect instructed him, but he now waited just outside the door; he was not yet finished with his errand, and he had already sent his own right hand man to inform Sun Ce of the problem. He listened intently for the end of Zhao Fai's interview so he would know when to enter again.
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Post by Boydie on Apr 6, 2011 20:10:39 GMT
The Major spoke and Gai listened closely to his word's. The veteran knew Fai would only try to please the Grand Commander of Wu with a flattening speech, Gai had been doing his duty's long enough to know if someone was only trying to flatter him and his army. Gai played along and placed the blade on the table and laughed at Fai.
"You fled your home over 'personal conflicts'? Why didn't you just deal with them like a man? You were a Captain of a respectable army after all."
Gai was trying to get Zhao Fai exasperated, trying to get some emotion out of him. The elite was fishing and trying to see if Fai would take the bait.
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Post by Tony Stark on Apr 6, 2011 20:27:37 GMT
"Why didn't you just deal with them like a man?"
It had been a while since something had rocked Fai to the core. Every memory of his wife and daughter flooded into his mind. His walking her to school. Teaching her how to fish. Playing games with his family... it all smashed into Fai's chest like a wrecking ball. The memories were like tattoos etched deep into Fai's heart, like scars across his soul.
Fai could feel the lump in his throat growing thicker and thicker. His eyes were starting to water, but he gave a strong blink and fought the tears back.
"MY wife and daughter were killed in a house fire. I almost drank myself to death because of it, and once I realized my answers were not in the bottom of the wine barrels, I left the city to rebuild my life in their honor. I am only human. If I might speak freely, sir... if your wife and child were burnt alive and you had to stand there and watch as the fire couldn't drown out their screams... how you deal with that like a man? Would you just pick up and start another family, move into a different house, and pretend that your life would ever be normal again? Would you marry another woman, have another child? Please, enlighten me... what would you have done?"
Fai was starting to grow angry, and he could tell. Despite his emotions, this man was still Fai's senior officer.
"I left that city because the nightmares came every night. The memories were too thick. The Heavens led me here, and now I have a chance to honor my family by fighting for the people of Wu. I am only human... sir."
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Post by Boydie on Jun 8, 2011 20:16:02 GMT
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Post by Boydie on Jun 8, 2011 20:19:07 GMT
It had been a short road travelled has Huang Bai entered the fortress of Jian An. The city was surrounded by high stone wall, which dominated the sky line within Jian An. The streets were tight and alive; Huang Bai trotted slowly atop his loyal steed hooded, watching the sea of people living they’re daily routine; locals haggling with fishermen over the price of today’s freshly caught fish. Merchants selling they’re supposed “high quality” goods at cut prices and the sound of a blacksmith hammering away, forging and new Jian blade for a member the Wu army.
This city had treated Bai well has a kid, he had fond memories of his father running this city, now it was Bai’s turn to put all of his training to good use.
Suddenly an old woman approached Huang Bai; with her arms spread, she had long white hair with wrinkled features. Bai could tell she had been a beautiful young woman in her day. She began to shout at the top of her voice. The local’s turned to see what all the commotion was about.
“Master Huang! You have returned after all these years! Have you returned to claim your father’s old title?”
Just then a state of confusion rained across the locals.
“Master Huang is here?! I thought he was defending the south?!” Another man butted in, “No! I heard he was now the head of Lord Sun’s personal army!”
It was about time Bai cut into the confusion; he wanted to keep a low profile until he reached the government office; but no good, this old woman had smelt him out some how. Slowly dropping his hood the crowd stood in awe. The last remaining member of the Huang family had returned home.
“Please proud people of Jian An, don’t fluster yourself. I, Huang Bai have returned home with a new title; Huang Bai the Defender of Jian An and Protector of the Northern Reach’. My task is to defend my homeland from any possible harm. Now, I must get to my duty.”
In a flash Bai had galloped away at full tilt and it wasn't long until he was in front of the government office, it was well protected, with a Platoon of guards watching over the office. It wasn’t as splendid as the palace in Jian Ye, but this place was a palace in Bai’s eyes, this was his childhood after all standing right in front of him.
Bai belatedly walked into the grounds of the government office, not knowing what expect inside….
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Post by Sun Quan on Jun 14, 2011 21:10:01 GMT
Inside, Bai would find... nothing. The government office had been abandoned only a few weeks before. Beams had fallen in and killed the mayor of the city, and no one had stepped up to take his place. Though the city was in good repair and everything was running smoothly, there was no one in charge, and as such, there was no civil engagement with the population.
As soon as Bai arrived, a few councilors came out of the woodwork, fawning over him and making compliments. It wasn't until a very elderly gentleman arrived, however, that Bai got any real instruction.
"If you are the new leader here, begin to lead. The city hasn't operated in nearly a week, and taxation has been nil. Our coffers are depleting and the military has disbanded, since no one was paying them. The former mayor did well enough, but the outer walls are beginning to crumble and there are no sentry towers outside of 1 mile around the city. Should Wei come to attack, I fear they'd be on us before we could even close our gates."
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Post by Boydie on Jun 21, 2011 20:54:46 GMT
Huang Bai shook his head in disbelief. The whole inner workings of Jian An had collapsed; it wouldn’t be long until the whole city would be affected by collapse of the council of Jian An. The elderly gentleman led the way with the complaints. The Jian An military had been disbanded to save money due to the coffers lack of funds. The taxman wasn’t collecting the tax due from the people of Jian An. The city needed a leader, and Bai would be they’re man.
“You need not worry about the military. My own personal Regiment will be arriving by nightfall.”
Bai then scratched his head. He was still young and was only trained in how lead men into battle. He was no politician; he needed the old man’s help on how to get the city to prosper once again. Bai then bowed down to the elderly man.
“Please. Old man, will you help me creature an exceptional city like how this fine place once was?” Bai bent down lower his head almost touching the ground.
“I need your experience; I need you to tell me what to do; as I am no politician, merely a weapon of war.”
It was pretty clear Huang Bai guidance to nurse this sickly city back together.
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Post by Sun Quan on Jun 21, 2011 22:09:27 GMT
The man shook his head.
"Pick a task, and get to it. I am old and feeble, and will not hold your hand. If you want to prove yourself your father's son, then do it for yourself."
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Post by Boydie on Jun 21, 2011 22:34:01 GMT
(Dam! You didn't take the bait! lol I'll wrap it up here.) Bai sighed. The old man was right. If he wanted to surpass his fathers achievements, Bai had to take matters into his own hands. "Ahh... you are right. If I am ever to better my father. I must take my own initiative. I will place my own ambitions into this city to make it luminous!"With that; Bai left the Government office to place his own plans into practice.
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